The History of Newtongrange Star
1996/97
Back: Rennie, Archibald, Bailey, Affleck, McQueen, Aitchison, O'Hara, Garner (Manager).
Middle: Perry (Assistant Manager), Irvine, Samuel, Dall, Robertson, Fraser, Brock.
Front: MacLaren, Davidson, Buchan.
STORY OF THE SEASON
Read More
    Three years without a bit of silverware seemed like an eternity for a Star support accustomed to winning trophies. The 1996/97 season was to provide some respite with two trophies claimed. The first came in the League Cup. The final was played on a cold January evening at Prestonfield, Linlithgow, but goals from Gordon Bailey and Dougie Samuel warmed the Star supporters as the team triumphed 2-0 against Camelon.

    The second cup win came in the East of Scotland Cup. The Star had lost a cup final a few days beforehand to a relieved Bo'ness United, a team that had previously lost eleven out of twelve finals to the Star. The clubs met again at Recreation Park, Pumpherston. The match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw with goals from Jason Cockburn (2) and Alan Archibald and had to be settled by penalties. Three saves by Jim McQueen was enough to give the Star victory.

    In the Scottish Junior Cup, the Star faced Junior giants Auchinleck Talbot at Beechwood Park. Talbot took the lead, only for Tony O'Hara to net an equaliser. Goalkeeper McQueen misjudged a high free kick from the halfway line and the Star were out.

    The Star finished fifth in the league, nine points behind eventual champions Linlithgow Rose.

    Source: The History of Newtongrange Star FC [2010]
JOHN WALKER LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION
Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Linlithgow Rose 22 13 5 4 46 29 +17 44
Bonnyrigg Rose 22 12 3 7 41 27 +14 39
Bo'ness United 22 11 5 6 46 32 +14 38
Camelon Juniors 22 11 5 6 40 34 +6 38
Newtongrange Star 22 9 8 5 35 23 +12 35
Whitburn Juniors 22 10 4 8 46 42 +4 34
Arniston Rangers 22 8 5 9 32 33 -1 29
Tranent Juniors 22 7 6 9 38 43 -5 27
Armadale Thistle 22 7 5 10 41 54 -13 26
Bonnybridge Juniors 22 5 9 8 28 30 -2 24
Harthill Royal 22 4 4 14 28 48 -20 16
Dunbar United 22 3 5 14 22 48 -26 14
Relegated from First Division: Harthill Royal
Dunbar United
Promoted to First Division: Fauldhouse United
Musselburgh Athletic
Opponents Venue F A Scorers Team Media
Armadale Thistle H 1 0 Sheridan McQueen, Steven, Fraser, Sheridan, Aitchison, E. Archibald, Perry, Robertson, Buchan, Bailey, Cockburn. Subs: Samuel, Garner, Cunningham, Dall.
A 3 3 Rennie, Curran, Bailey McQueen, Davidson, Fraser, Robertson, Rennie, O'Hara, Affleck, Samuel, Buchan, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Perry, A. Archibald, Sheridan, Dall.
Arniston Rangers H 0 0 McQueen, Steven, Robertson, Sheridan, Aitchison, O'Hara, Curran, Samuel, Cockburn, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Garner, Perry, Buchan, Dall.
A 0 1 McQueen, Steven, Fraser, E. Archibald, Aitchison, Robertson, Curran, Samuel, Cockburn, Affleck, Buchan. Subs: Perry, Dall, Davidson, Bailey, Sheridan.
Bo'ness United H 3 3 Curran, Bailey 2 McQueen, Davidson, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Affleck, Samuel, Curran, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Buchan, Dall, Rennie, A. Archibald, Sheridan.
A 1 2 Adams McQueen, Affleck, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Steven, Samuel, Curran, Bailey, A. Archibald. Subs: Buchan, Cunningham, Davidson, Adams.
Bonnybridge Juniors H 1 1 Samuel McQueen, Davidson, Sheridan, Dall, Aitchison, Curran, Buchan, Samuel, Trialist, Bailey, Steven. Subs: Perry, Cunningham, Garner, Fraser.
A 1 1 Bailey McQueen, Davidson, Fraser, Rennie, Aitchison, O'Hara, Steven, Samuel, Cunningham, Bailey, Buchan. Subs: A. Archibald, Perry, Cochrane, Affleck.
Bonnyrigg Rose H 1 2 Buchan McQueen, Davidson, Affleck, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, A. Archibald, Samuel, Curran, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Buchan, Cockburn, Perry, E. Archibald.
A 2 0 Samuel 2 McQueen, Affleck, Fraser, Rennie, Aitchison, O'Hara, Steven, Samuel, Buchan, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Davidson, Cochrane, Dall, Perry.
Camelon Juniors H 2 0 Bailey, Samuel McQueen, Affleck, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Steven, Samuel, Buchan, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Dall, Brock, Perry.
A 1 1 Bailey McQueen, Steven, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, E. Archibald, Bailey, Samuel, Cockburn, Curran, Buchan. Subs: A. Archibald, Perry, Cunningham, Sheridan.
Dunbar United H 1 0 Samuel McQueen, Davidson, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, Sheridan, Affleck, Samuel, Buchan, Cunningham, Curran. Subs: Dall (for Affleck), O'Hara (for Sheridan), Bailey (for Cunningham), Rennie, Perry.
A 4 1 Samuel 2, Bailey, Cunningham McQueen, Rennie, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, A. Archibald, Samuel, Curran, Bailey, Affleck. Subs: Buchan, Perry, Cockburn, Cunningham, E. Archibald.
Harthill Royal H 3 0 Cunningham, Robertson, Bailey McQueen, Affleck, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Steven, Samuel, Brock, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Cochrane (for Affleck), A. Archibald (for Cunningham), Davidson, Rennie, Dall.
A 0 1 McQueen, Steven, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, E. Archibald, Perry, Samuel, Curran, Cunningham, Affleck. Subs: Cockburn, Buchan, Bailey, Davidson.
Linlithgow Rose H 0 0 McQueen, Steven, E. Archibald, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Curran, Samuel, Cockburn, Bailey, Buchan. Subs: Cunningham (for Bailey), Perry (for Cockburn), A. Archibald, Affleck, Davidson.
A 3 1 Cunningham 2, Robertson McQueen, Aitchison, Fraser, Robertson, E. Archibald, Curran, O'Hara, Samuel, Cockburn, Cunningham, Buchan. Subs: Affleck, Bailey, Steven, Perry, Sheridan.
Tranent Juniors H 1 0 Samuel McQueen, Davidson, Fraser, Robertson, Rennie, O'Hara, A. Archibald, Samuel, Buchan, Bailey, Steven. Subs: Cunningham, Adams, Cochrane, Affleck, Aitchison.
A 2 3 Bailey 2 McQueen, Davidson, Affleck, Robertson, E. Archibald, Sheridan, Perry, A. Archibald, Buchan, Curran, Bailey. Subs: Aitchison, Fraser, Samuel, Cockburn, O'Hara.
Whitburn Juniors H 3 1 Samuel, Bailey 2 McQueen, Steven, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Affleck, Samuel, Adams, Bailey, Curran. Subs: Buchan, Cunningham, A. Archibald, Davidson, Brock.
A 2 2 Samuel, Buchan McQueen, Davidson, Affleck, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, A. Archibald, Samuel, Curran, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Rennie, E. Archibald, Buchan, Perry, Cockburn.
OVD SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Media
1 Bye
2 H Haddington Athletic 2 0 Cunningham 2 McQueen, Steven, Fraser, Affleck, Rennie, O'Hara, Curran, Samuel, Cunningham, Bailey, Adams. Subs: Brock (for Adams), Davidson (for Cunningham), Dall, Perry.
3 H Renfrew 4 2 Curran 2, Cunningham, Steven McQueen, Steven, Sheridan, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Affleck, Curran, Brock, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Buchan (for Cunningham), Adams (for Brock), Samuel, Dall, Davidson.
4 A Auchinleck Talbot 1 2 O'Hara McQueen, Steven, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, Curran, O'Hara, Samuel, Adams, Bailey, Affleck. Subs: Davidson (for Steven), Cunningham (for Adams), Buchan (for Affleck).
WHYTE & MacKAY FIFE & LOTHIANS CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Media
1 Bye
2 H Dalkeith Thistle 4 0 Samuel 2, Bailey, Curran McQueen, Steven, Affleck, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Buchan, Samuel, Brock, Cunningham, Curran. Subs: Davidson, Garner, Perry, Dall, Bailey.
3 H Musselburgh Athletic 3 0 Curran, Samuel, Buchan McQueen, Davidson, Sheridan, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Affleck, Samuel, Curran, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: A. Archibald (for Sheridan), Buchan (for A. Archibald), Cockburn (for Bailey), Perry.
QF H Fauldhouse United 3 1 Cockburn, Samuel, Cunningham McQueen, Steven, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, E. Archibald, Curran, Samuel, Cockburn, A. Archibald, Buchan. Subs: Cunningham (for Buchan), Affleck (for A. Archibald).
SF A Bonnybridge Juniors 1 2 Samuel McQueen, Steven, Fraser, Robertson, E. Archibald, O'Hara, Curran, Samuel, Cockburn, Cunningham, Buchan. Subs: A. Archibald, Bailey, Perry, Affleck, Sheridan.
CARLSBERG EAST OF SCOTLAND CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Media
1 A Arniston Rangers 1 0 Samuel McQueen, Davidson, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Steven, Samuel, Brock, Bailey, Buchan. Subs: Cunningham, Perry, A. Archibald, Cochrane.
2 H Fauldhouse United 6 2 Samuel, Cunningham 2, Cockburn 2, Buchan McQueen, Steven, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, E. Archibald, Curran, Samuel, Cockburn, A. Archibald, Buchan. Subs: Bailey, Davidson, Cunningham, Affleck, Perry.
QF A Linlithgow Rose 1 1 Cockburn McQueen, Aitchison, Sheridan, Robertson, E. Archibald, O'Hara, A. Archibald, Samuel, Cockburn, Cunningham, Buchan. Subs: Perry, Bailey, Affleck, Steven.
H Linlithgow Rose 2 0 Cockburn, Cunningham McQueen, Affleck, Sheridan, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, A. Archibald, Samuel, Cockburn, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Buchan, Steven, Perry.
SF H Whitburn Juniors 1 1 Cockburn McQueen, Davidson, Sheridan, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Dall, Samuel, Cockburn, Steven. Subs: Perry, Garner, Cunningham, Fraser.
A Whitburn Juniors 3 2 Buchan, Robertson, Sheridan
F N Bo'ness United 3 3 3 1 Cockburn 2, A. Archibald McQueen, Steven, Sheridan, Fraser, Aitchison, O'Hara, Perry, Samuel, Buchan, Cunningham, Cockburn. Subs: Affleck, Davidson, A. Archibald, Garner, Bailey.
Match Report
    REVENGE IS SWEET FOR NEWTONGRANGE STAR
    By Striker (Advertiser) at Recreation Park, Pumpherston

    A truly magnificent Carlsberg East of Scotland Cup final concluded the East Region junior football season last Saturday.

    The two fiercely competitive hours of play led to a dramatic penalty shoot out victory for the Star though some drunken Bo’ness youths spoilt the occasion at the end.

    So the East of Scotland Cup returns to the Newtongrange Star trophy cabinet for the first time in six years when Star beat Whitburn 2-0.

    However, the Star had to show tremendous nerves of steel and courage to wrest the trophy from Bo’ness – the cup favourites – who twice led but United had to score in the 120th minute to take the match into penalties.

    Outplayed by Bo’ness 72 hours earlier at flooded Newbyres Park, Gorebridge, in the final of the Dave Moffat Cup, Newtongrange played John Perry from the start with substitutes including manager Willie Garner and ‘crocks’ Gordon Bailey and Colin Affleck.

    The Star were wounded by that midweek defeat and they were to fall behind after just three minutes – the 50th goal conceded by them in this their 47th and final game of the season.

    The two Jimmys – Sheridan and McQueen – dithered and hesitated to let Daryl Drew lob the ball into the empty net for a shock start to Star’s cup hopes.

    But the lead lasted just four minutes as Willie Garner’s heroes rolled up their sleeves and hit back.

    A long cross from the right from John Perry was brilliantly headed home by young Jason Cockburn to make it 1-1 with the Bo’ness defence fighting amongst themselves as to who was to blame.

    It was so important that the Star kept Bo’ness in their sights and that goal certainly settled them.

    Play was more evenly contested and in 16minutes a good shot on the turn by goalscorer Cockburn went very near.

    Both teams were serving up an entertaining cup final much appreciated by the large crowd.

    But the miseries revisited the Star in 23 minutes after Kerr More had felled David Buchan in the box for a clear Newtongrange penalty. Tony O’Hara, who missed from the spot last Wednesday, made way for Craig Cunningham but his kick was brilliantly saved by Neil Binnie who touched the well placed shot on to the post for his fifth penalty save of the season.

    Dougie Samuel was then booked for dissent as tempers increased. Bo’ness had the ball in the net in 27 minutes but the score was ruled off for the illegal use of a hand.

    Then in 40 minutes a superb goal, rifled home by Jimmy Burns, punished the Star and gave United a 2-1 advantage. Almost immediately Buchan nearly got through for the Star but he was denied by skipper Kevin Hoggan conceding a risky corner.

    An incident involving Buchan and a spectator ended with referee Dougie McDonald booking Buchan, presumably for ungentlemanly conduct.

    Before the interval a third Star player was booked, this time Tam Aitchison for pushing a Bo’ness player who had kicked the ball away. Just on the break a great chance fell to assistant boss John Perry but he shot too soon and wide.

    Into the second half and Nitten were battling gamely to get back on level terms but in 55 minutes Jimmy Sheridan became the Star’s fourth booking for a series of fouls and thereafter he was substituted by Alan Archibald who moved to midfield to replace Tony O’Hara who went to left back.

    And it was at left back where O’Hara excelled for over an hour’s tough play with some brilliant tackling and selfless effort.

    But the nail biting drama continued as Newtongrange were awarded a 60th minute penalty when More (again unpunished) sent Cunningham crashing to the ground and the referee again pointed to the spot.

    Brave substitute Alan Archibald took the kick deceiving Binnie this time with a cleverly flighted lob that ended up in the net to make it 2-2.

    The final raged from end to end with neither side ever able to stay in command long and in 62 minutes John Perry was yellow carded for a foul on Jimmy Burns.

    Then Burns and McKinlay fired in good efforts which keeper McQueen handled safely.

    In 83 minutes Jason Cockburn was bustling through on his own only to be hacked down by Colin Inglis just outside the box for which Inglis was rightly booked.

    Perry took an elbow in the ear which saw blood pouring from his injury though after some off-the-field treatment he returned to the field of play.

    With the sides level after 90 minutes, extra time was played in an effort to find a winner.

    Both sides continued to play very competitively with chances missed at both ends, particularly 33-goal hitman Paul McKinlay who could only hit the post from point blank range with the goals practically empty.

    Then Craig Cunningham headed wide in 100 minutes before a cross from John Strain was left by Star keeper Jim McQueen, hit the crossbar then went to safety.

    In the 14th minute of the first period of extra time, a clash between Bo’ness substitute Stuart Lapsley and his own keeper saw the ball break kindly for Jason Cockburn to despatch the ball into the empty net for his own second and Newtongrange’s third goal of the final.

    Throughout the tense second period of extra time the big crowd were on edge as play swung from end to end. Bo’ness were now desperate to equalise while Newtongrange needed a fourth goal to settle the cup’s destination.

    But there was more drama to come. In the very last minute of the second half of extra time Paul McKinlay went down just inside the box and referee McDonald, who becomes a Grade One referee next season, awarded Bo’ness a penalty. McKinlay himself took the kick and beat McQueen to send the Bo’ness fans delirious at the 3-3 scoreline and so the final went to penalty kicks.

    Every crisis produces a man of the hour and in this situation Newtongrange had hero Jimmy McQueen to thank for making three brilliant penalty saves that gave the Star the cup win with two kicks to spare.

    It went like this – Ronnie Scott scored to make it 1-0 for Bo’ness. Shaun Steven netted for Star to make it 1-1. Jimmy Burns then saw his kick brilliantly saved by McQueen diving to his right.

    Next skipper Gordon Fraser scored to make it 2-1 for Newtongrange with what I calculate to be the Star’s 100th goal of the season.

    The David Cully’s penalty was superbly saved by hero McQueen, this time diving to his left.

    Alan Archibald, already a penalty hero, stepped up next to make it 3-1 for Nitten. Finally the best hattrick of the season from McQueen when he saved Bo’ness skipper Kevin Hoggan’s penalty.

    That sent the Newtongrange fans delirious who cheered their favourites as John Wilson, sales manager of Carlsberg, presented the trophy. Congratulations to the Star – they deserve it!

    Teams:
    Newtongrange Star: McQueen, Steven, Sheridan, Fraser, Aitchison, O'Hara, Perry, Samuel, Buchan, Cunningham, Cockburn. Subs: Affleck, Davidson, A. Archibald, Garner, Bailey.
    Bo'ness United: Binnie, More, Strain, Cully, Inglis, Hoggan, Drew, Scott, McKinlay, Burns, Hodge. Subs: Hallford, Lapsley, McLean.

    Ref: D. McDonald (Edinburgh)
DAVE MOFFAT CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Media
1 H Stoneyburn Juniors 1 1 4 2 Samuel McQueen, Steven, Davidson, Fraser, Aitchison, O'Hara, Curran, Samuel, Cunningham, Bailey, A. Archibald. Subs: Adams, Perry, Rennie.
2 A Haddington Athletic 3 0 Samuel, Curran, Dall McQueen, Davidson, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Affleck, Samuel, Buchan, Cunningham, Curran. Subs: Bailey, Dall, Sheridan, Adams, Perry.
QF A Pumpherston Juniors 2 2 4 3 Samuel 2 McQueen, Affleck, Fraser, Rennie, Aitchison, O'Hara, Cockburn, Samuel, Curran, A. Archibald, Buchan. Subs: Perry (for Affleck), Cunningham (for Buchan), Bailey (for Cockburn), E. Archibald.
SF H Camelon Juniors 3 1 O'Hara, Curran, Buchan McQueen, Steven, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Sheridan, Samuel, Curran, Cunningham, Cockburn. Subs: Buchan, A. Archibald, Perry, Dall.
F N Bo'ness United 0 1 McQueen, Steven, Sheridan, Fraser, Aitchison, O'Hara, Curran, Samuel, Cockburn, Buchan, Cunningham. Subs: Perry, Dall, A. Archibald, Garner, Bailey.
DALKEITH GLAZING CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Media
1 A Arniston Rangers 0 1 McQueen, Steven, Fraser, Robertson, Affleck, Davidson, Curran, Samuel, Cunningham, Bailey, Adams. Subs: Brock, Perry.
SKOL LEAGUE CUP
Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Newtongrange Star 4 3 1 0 13 3 +10 10
Arniston Rangers 4 2 1 1 10 7 +3 7
Dalkeith Thistle 4 0 0 4 1 14 -13 0
Opponents Venue F A Scorers Team Media
Arniston Rangers H 5 2 OG, Bailey 2, Robertson, Cunningham McQueen, Cochrane, Fraser, Robertson, E. Archibald, O'Hara, A. Archibald, Affleck, Brock, Bailey, Buchan. Subs: Davidson, Steven, Aitchison, Cunningham.
A 1 1 Bailey McQueen, Steven, A. Archibald, Robertson, E. Archibald, Aitchison, Cochrane, Samuel, Bailey, O'Hara, Brock. Subs: Affleck, Fraser, Davidson, Buchan, MacLaren.
Dalkeith Thistle H 2 0 Rennie, Bailey McQueen, Steven, Fraser, Robertson, E. Archibald, Aitchison, A. Archibald, Samuel, Bailey, O'Hara, Brock.
A 5 0 Cunningham 3, Affleck, Robertson McQueen, Davidson, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, Cochrane, Affleck, Steven, Buchan, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: O'Hara, Brock, Samuel, Rennie.
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Media
QF A Livingston United 3 1 Buchan, Bailey McQueen, Affleck, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Steven, Samuel, Buchan, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Davidson, Dall, Rennie, A. Archibald, Cochrane.
SF H Fauldhouse United 1 0 Brock McQueen, Steven, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Affleck, Sheridan, Brock, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Samuel (for Fraser), Buchan (for Cunningham), Adams (for Brock), Dall.
F N Camelon Juniors 2 0 Bailey, Samuel McQueen, Davidson, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Affleck, Samuel, Buchan, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Perry, A. Archibald, Dall, Sheridan, Adams.


Back: Cunningham, Adams, Morocco (Physio), Robertson, Fraser, A. Archibald, Buchan, McQueen, Affleck, Dall, Perry, E. Archibald, Curran.
Front: Davidson, O'Hara, Bailey, Samuel, Aitchison, Sheridan.


Gordon Bailey & Dougie Samuel
Match Report
    WE'VE WON THE CUP!
    By Striker (Advertiser) at Prestonfield, Linlithgow

    Gordon Fraser emerged from the shadow of former captain Kevin McColl – that cup winning machine of the early 90s – to lift his first trophy as skipper of Newtongrange Star last Wednesday.

    Star gave a thoroughly professional performance in defeating keen rivals Camelon Juniors in the final of the Skol League Cup at Prestonfield, Linlithgow.

    It was some 5½ months since this competition began but Newtongrange qualified for the quarter finals as Section 2 winners, beat Livingston 2-1 then defeated Fauldhouse 1-0 in the semi final to reach their first cup final in three years

    Camelon, for their part, won section 7 then polished off Whitburn 4-0 in the quarter final before beating Musselburgh Athletic 2-1 at Carmuirs Park to reach the twice delayed final.

    A good crowd attended under the impressive Linlithgow floodlights as Willie Garner sought to recover from Scottish Cup exit blues suffered at Auchinleck just 10 days before.

    And Newtongrange could not have got off to a better start than scoring in just nine minutes after some early tentative exchanges.

    A long ball out of the Newtongrange defence picked up by Craig Cunningham was swept across the face of the goals and there was predatory Gordon Bailey to rap the ball into the net for his 12th goal of the season.

    But Camelon brushed aside that early loss and stormed back at Newtongrange who needed all their defensive expertise to quell a very capable opponent.

    Colin Affleck manmarked danger man Colin Wilson who featured at No. 7 in the absence of suspended Christie McKenzie and although both were booked separately later on for fouling each other it was a sporting final.

    But above them all in the Star defence was Gordon Fraser whose tackling and distribution were immense.

    Ian Davidson stuck manfully to his task at the back while Tom Aitchison and Darren Robertson also excelled.

    With the bulk of the possession Camelon impressed with their neat, positive football and although they gained a great number of corners they never gained anything from them. Indeed, it took Camelon 19 minutes to get a shot on target.

    Full of confidence, Bailey next fired in close as Star broke dangerously. The tackling was fast and furious but generally fair.

    Craig Cunningham contributed with his positive runs coming up against some fierce attention from the powerful pivot Gary Smith.

    In 27 minutes Newtongrange’s first corner was well clutched by Camelon keeper Allan Banner as Camelon ruled the aerial battle.

    By the half-hour mark Camelon led 5-1 on corners but the Star defence remained rock solid.

    Gordon Fraser cleared off his own goal-line next as keeper Jim McQueen failed to reach a cross. The 1-0 half-time scoreline slightly flattered Newtongrange in view of all the effort Camelon had put into the game so far but it’s goals that count and with their noses in front Star were determined to stay there.

    The next goal would be vital and it was Dougie Samuel, who had one of his less effective games, who notched his 11th goal of the season in 57 minutes – a strike which effectively won the cup for Star.

    A free kick hammered in by Gordon Fraser was parried for a corner by Banner. Buchan’s corner on this occasion was too high but his very next one picked out the diminutive Samuel lurking at the far post and he headed powerfully downwards and into the Camelon net.

    On the hour Cunningham was booked for a foul on Newbigging whose retaliation also earned him a yellow card.

    In 65 minutes Camelon had to try something to get back into this final and brought on Alan McGonigal as substitute for Hamill.

    Star played very well as a team while Camelon piled on the pressure with more corners but to no avail.

    A special round of applause greeted goalscorer Dougie Samuel when he was substituted by Jimmy Sheridan in 75 minutes.

    Stuart Dall next replaced Colin Affleck then Newtongrange brought off a smiling Gordon Bailey to be replaced by Malky Adams as Star were home and dry and making space again in their trophy cabinet for the Skol League Cup.

    Teams:
    Newtongrange Star: McQueen, Davidson, Fraser, Robertson, Aitchison, O'Hara, Affleck, Samuel, Buchan, Bailey, Cunningham. Subs: Perry, A. Archibald, Dall, Sheridan, Adams.
    Camelon Juniors: Banner, Ellis, Haston, Newbigging, Smith, Kemp, Wilson, Muir, Flynn, Paterson, Hamill. Subs: McGonigle, Blues, Fraser, Lee.

    Ref: C. Clelland (Blackburn)
SQUAD
  • Jim McQueen
  • Shaun Steven
  • Tam Aitchison
  • Gordon Fraser
  • Steven Rennie
  • Ian Davidson
  • Darren Robertson
  • Alan Archibald
  • Robert Cochrane
  • Tony O'Hara
  • Jim Sheridan
  • Eric Archibald
  • Colin Affleck
  • Danny Curran
  • Stuart Dall
  • Dougie Samuel
  • Gordon Bailey
  • David Buchan
  • Malky Adams
  • Craig Cunningham
  • John Brock
  • Jason Cockburn
  • John Perry
TOP SCORERS
Dougie Samuel 22
Gordon Bailey 20
Craig Cunningham 16